Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Protect Your Four-Legged Family Members with Pet Health Insurance

With over 74.8 million dogs and 88.3 million cats
living in households in the United States, it's
clear that our furry friends are much more than
just "friends" - they are beloved members of our
families. Routine examinations, shots, tick &
flea prevention, and heart worm protection are
the typical standard responsibilities of pet
owners, but are you prepared if your dog or cat
gets sick or hurt in an accident?

Today's veterinary medicine is extremely
sophisticated; many procedures and treatments are
readily available to help your pet live a long
and healthy life. Unfortunately, this advanced
technology comes with a price that you may not be
able to afford in the event of an emergency. Pet
insurance can help alleviate any economic
considerations that you would face when
determining the best course of treatment for your
loyal companion.

How Long Has Pet Insurance Been Around?

Pet insurance actually began in Sweden in 1924
when the first policy was written for a dog. It
wasn't until 1982, however, that a pet insurance
policy was written in the US for a very famous TV
dog (pat yourself on the back if you guessed it
was for Lassie). Since then, the number of pet
policies in the US has grown at a rate of 18%
between 2003 and 2008. Although pet insurance
policies continue to gain popularity in the US,
it is far more prevalent in Europe. Almost 20%
of pet owners in the UK and 49% of pet owners in
Sweden have some type of pet insurance.

How Much Does It Cost?

Just as there are different types of medical
insurance for us, the same goes for our pets, so
it's important to shop around when looking for
policies. For cats, the average monthly cost of
insurance ranges from $15-$18 per month depending
on age, while dog insurance typically ranges from
$22-$28 per month depending on age and breed.
Most policies have deductibles starting at $50,
and co-pays are also required for routine care.
In most cases, pet insurance reimburses the owner
after the pet has received care and the owner
submits a claim to the insurance company.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Although each pet insurance provider and policy
is different, pets are generally covered for
routine care (annual examinations, vaccinations,
spay/neuter procedure, etc.), major medical
expenses (serious injuries and illnesses,
surgeries, hospital stays, etc), as well as
cancer (chemotherapy, radiation, and
post-treatment medications). It's important to
know that insurance typically does not cover
pre-existing conditions, hereditary/breed
defects, elective procedures, dog food, and
grooming costs.

How Do I Choose the Right Policy?

There are many considerations to make when
choosing an insurance company that is right for
your pet. First and foremost, read the fine
print of each and every policy that you research
very carefully. If your pet has a pre-existing
condition or a hereditary issue, you need to make
sure this isn't excluded in the policy (there are
some companies out there that will cover these
situations). Different types of breeds may be
charged higher premiums with certain insurance
companies, and there may be age limits on
coverage. It's also very important to understand
exactly what types of events and illnesses the
policy will cover. You don't want to find
yourself in a situation where your pet gets sick
only to find out that your insurance company
won't pay for it.

Last, but certainly not least, take a look at
your budget. Along with the monthly or annual
premium, you'll need to know what the deductibles
and co-pays cost in order to select a policy that
you can afford.

Where Can I Find Pet Insurance?

There are many companies in the US that offer pet
insurance, so here are some of the major
providers to get you started:

- Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI): This is the
nation's oldest pet insurance company and
largest, with 71% of the market share. VPI
provides a wide range of policies.

- Embrace Pet Insurance: This is one of the few
companies that offers coverage for pre-existing
conditions and breed-specific genetic conditions.

- PetCare Pet Insurance: Since 1998, PetCare has
been offering policies in both the US and Canada
and offers a variety of pet insurance products
such as QuickCare and ShelterCare.

- Pet Assure: This company is not insurance, but
rather a program that offers medical discounts
within a network of veterinarians and pet health
providers. It is open to all pets of all ages
with any medical condition.

Pet owners often don't anticipate the high costs
associated with an unexpected illness or injury.
Whether or not you're thinking about getting a
pet, or you already have one, set aside some time
to look at your budget and compare insurance
plans. Planning for the future by insuring your
cat or dog can save you the heart-wrenching pain
of not being able to pay for treatment down the
road.

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Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of
TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel
site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet
travel. Kim is a veteran of the travel industry -
formerly serving as Director of Internet
Marketing for Certified Vacations. Her mission is
to ensure that pets are welcome, happy,and safe
in their travels. Visit her company website at
http://www.tripswithpets.com

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